At the first ever “General SF Rodrigues Memorial Lecture” today at the Manekshaw Centre hosted by the Indian Army, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande highlighted some of the major initiatives General Rodrigues undertook during his tenure.
Notably, the induction of Women Officers in roles outside the Medical Corps began in 1992 when General Rodrigues was the COAS. Today, there are over 1700 Women Officers in the Indian Army, with 740 having received Permanent Commission and 114 approved for command assignments. In addition, there are more than 100 Women Officers in the regular cadre of the Corps of Military Police.
This event was held in honour of the late General Sunith Francis Rodrigues, who was a former Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and Governor of Punjab. It marked his 90th birthday celebration. The lecture featured Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande as the keynote speaker. Many other high-ranking and retired officers from the Indian Army were present.
The session began with a reflection on the life and achievements of the former COAS. Following this, Lieutenant General Raj Shukla (Retired), a former General Officer Commanding in Chief of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), delivered a lecture on the topic of “Changing Character of War and Firepower.”
General SF Rodrigues, born in 1933 in Mumbai, had his early education at St Xavier’s School. He entered the Joint Services Wing in 1949 and was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery (9 Field Regiment) on December 28, 1952. During his military career, he served in various Artillery units and became an Artillery Aviation Pilot in 1960, actively participating in the 1962 and 1965 wars. He held significant positions such as Vice Chief of the Army Staff and General Officer Commanding in Chief of Central and Western Commands before becoming the COAS. He served as the COAS from July 1, 1990, to June 30, 1993.
General Pande also mentioned General Rodrigues’ significant contributions to expanding the presence of the Indian Army in United Nations missions. Under his leadership, the number of Indian Army personnel in UN missions grew from just eight in 1991 to 1000 in 1992 and 6300 in 1993. Presently, nearly 6000 Indian ‘Blue Helmets’ are deployed across 11 UN missions.
General Rodrigues was not only an exemplary military leader but also a strategic thinker who upheld military ethics, ethos, and values. He played a crucial role in advancing the modernization plan of the Indian Army. This event served as a fitting tribute to honor General Rodrigues’ remarkable contributions to the Indian Army and the nation.